US retail giant Walmart is adding electric car chargers to thousands of stores
Walmart announced Thursday plans to add electric vehicle (EV) chargers to thousands of U.S. stores in a sign of mainstreaming zero-emission cars.
The U.S. retail giant, which has electric car chargers in a fraction of its U.S. stores, plans to “build our own electric car fast-charging network at thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations coast to coast,” a Walmart press release said. that about 90 percent of the US population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart.
The announcement is the latest sign of movement in the U.S. transportation market, which is expected to be a years-long transition away from the combustion engine car.
Electric vehicles will account for 5.8 percent of the U.S. new vehicle market in 2021, up from 3.2 percent in 2021, according to Cox Automotive.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill of 2021, sponsored by President Joe Biden, included $7.5 billion for a nationwide network of electric vehicle chargers.
Biden has also highlighted other private-sector efforts to accelerate the transition, including Hertz’s promises to increase electric car rentals and Google’s Search Tools for electric car tax credits.
A wider and more accessible charging network for electric cars to solve “regional anxiety” is considered a key requirement for the transition to electric cars. Walmart, which has more than 5,300 stores in the United States, including 600 Sam’s locations, emphasizes this point.
“Easy access to on-the-go charging is a game changer for drivers who have been hesitant to buy an electric car because they can’t find a charger in a clean, bright and safe place when they need it,” Walmart said.
Walmart currently has 1,300 EV chargers in more than 280 locations in the United States.
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